Lighted wand assembly

ABSTRACT

A hand cleaning tool for a floor cleaning apparatus includes a wand and a light source that is carried on the wand and oriented thereto for directing light onto a surface being cleaned. A floor cleaning apparatus incorporating the hand cleaning tool is also described.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/435,158 filed on Dec. 18, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipmentfield and, more particularly, to a lighted wand assembly for a floorcleaning appliance such as an upright vacuum cleaner or canister vacuumcleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floor care cleaning equipment such as canister vacuum cleaners andupright vacuum cleaners have long been known in the art. Duringoperation of such floor cleaning appliances one is almost ensured ofhaving to clean in a poorly lit location where it is difficult to seethe area of the floor being cleaned. Toward this end it has long beenknown to provide a light source on the powerhead or nozzle assembly tolight the surface being cleaned.

It should, of course, be realized, however, that many upright vacuumcleaners are equipped with a wand that may be used for above floorcleaning. Similarly, the wand of a canister vacuum cleaner may beutilized for the same purpose. A lighted powerhead or nozzle assembly isnot of any benefit when cleaning above the floor with the wand alone orthe wand and another attachment in the absence of the powerhead.

The present invention relates to a light source that is mounted on thewand to light the surface being cleaned whether it is the floor or anabove floor surface such as a window sill, a chair bottom or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as describedherein, a canister vacuum cleaner is provided. That canister vacuumcleaner includes a main housing and both a dirt collector and suctiongenerator carried by the main housing. Additionally, the vacuum cleanerincludes a wand having a first end and a second end. A hose providesfluid communication between the first end of the wand and the suctiongenerator. Additionally, a light source is carried on the wand. Thelight source is oriented on the wand for directing light past the secondend of the wand onto a surface being cleaned.

In one possible embodiment of the vacuum cleaner the dirt collector is adirt cup. That dirt cup may include a dirt collection chamber having acylindrical sidewall and a tangentially directed inlet to providecyclonic airflow. In another possible embodiment the dirt collector is areplaceable dust bag.

The light source may take a number of forms. The light source may be oneor more light emitting diodes, one or more incandescent bulbs, one ormore flourescent bulbs, one or more halogen bulbs, one or more zenonbulbs or any mixture thereof.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a floorcleaning apparatus is provided. The floor cleaning apparatus includes anozzle-assembly with a suction opening and a canister assembly pivotallyconnected to the nozzle assembly. Both a suction generator and a dirtcollector are carried by one of the canister assembly and the nozzleassembly. A wand and hose assembly is carried by one of the canisterassembly and the wand assembly and is provided in selective fluidcommunication with the suction generator. Additionally, a light sourceis carried on the wand and oriented thereto for directing light past thewand onto a surface being cleaned.

Still further, the present invention includes a hand cleaning tool for afloor cleaning apparatus. The hand cleaning tool includes a wand havinga first end and a second end and a light source carried on the wand andoriented thereto for directing light past the second end of the wandonto a surface being cleaned.

In the following description there is shown and described severalpossible embodiments of this invention simply by way of illustration ofsome of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will berealized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments andits several details are capable of modification in various, obviousaspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature andnot as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain certain principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an upright vacuum cleaner equippedwith a lighted wand assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a canister vacuum cleaner also equippedwith a lighted wand assembly; and

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the light source and mountingband/bracket connecting the light source to the wand.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodimentof the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing an upright vacuum cleaner 1 0equipped with the hand cleaning tool 12 of the present invention. Theupright vacuum cleaner 10 includes a housing comprising a nozzleassembly 14 and a canister assembly 16. The canister assembly 16 furtherincludes a control handle 18 and a hand grip 20. A control switch 22 isprovided for turning the vacuum cleaner on and off. Of course,electrical power is supplied to the vacuum cleaner 10 from a standardelectrical wall outlet through an electrical cord 24.

A pair of rear wheels (not shown) are provided on a lower portion of thecanister assembly 16 and a pair of front wheels (also not shown) areprovided on the nozzle assembly 14. Together, these wheels support thevacuum cleaner 10 for movement across the floor. To allow for convenientstorage of the vacuum cleaner 10, a foot latch 30 functions to lock thecanister assembly 16 in an upright position as shown in FIG. 1. When thefoot latch 30 is released, the canister assembly 16 may be pivotedrelative to the nozzle assembly 14 as the vacuum cleaner 10 ismanipulated back and forth to clean the floor.

In the present preferred embodiment, the canister assembly 14 includes acavity adapted to receive and hold a dirt container 32 which includes acollection chamber. A suction generator 36, including a fan and drivemotor assembly, is carried on the canister assembly 14 and functions togenerate a vacuum airstream for drawing dirt and debris from a surfaceto be cleaned. The suction generator may be carried on the canisterassembly 16 or the nozzle assembly 14 if desired.

The nozzle assembly 14 includes a main inlet cavity 38 that houses apair of agitators 39 which are rotated by the motor of the suctiongenerator or a separate, dedicated motor relative to the nozzleassembly.

The main inlet cavity 38 of the nozzle assembly 14 is provided in fluidcommunication with the collection chamber of the dirt container 32 bymeans of an airflow system generally designated by reference numeral 40.That airflow system includes a T-shaped fitting 42, a wand 44 and aflexible hose 46. During floor cleaning, the cleaning end 48 of the wandis inserted and held in the fitting 42. Accordingly, the suctiongenerator 36 draws air and entrained dirt and debris through the maininlet cavity 38 through the twin hoses 50 and the fitting 42, then upthe wand 44 and through the flexible hose 46 into the collection chamberof the dirt cup 32. Dirt and debris collects in the dirt cup 32 as theair is then drawn through a filter (not shown) made of porous, pleatedfilter material or the like and through a secondary filter pad (notshown) into the compartment housing the suction generator 36. Afterpassing over and cooling the motor, that air is discharged through aHEPA filter (not shown) through an exhaust port 52 into the environment.

In one possible embodiment, the dirt collection chamber of the dirtcontainer 32 includes a substantially cylindrical sidewall and atangentially directed inlet. This promotes cyclonic airflow in thecollection chamber. That airflow enhances cleaning efficiency under manyoperating conditions. Still, it should be realized that the presentinvention need not be limited to cyclonic airflow systems. Accordingly,the dirt collection chamber may assume substantially any shape and theinlet may assume substantially any orientation and/or be formed in thesidewall, bottom wall or top wall of the dirt container 32.

At certain times and during particular cleaning operations such as whencleaning along baseboards or when desiring to use the cleaning tool toclean chair bottoms, draperies, window sills or the like, the operatorwithdraws the cleaning end-of the wand 48 from the fitting 42. Theflexible hose 46 allows the operator to manipulate the wand 44 asnecessary to complete the cleaning operation.

As should further be appreciated from reviewing FIG. 1, a light source,generally designated by reference numeral 60, is carried on the wand 44.The light source 60 includes a housing 62 and a means for fastening thehousing 62 to the wand 44. As illustrated, that means is a mounting bandor bracket 64 that fits snugly around the outer periphery of the wand 44and connects the light source directly to the wand. Of course, the band64 is just one possible means for mounting the light source 60 to thewand 44 and substantially any other appropriate structure could beutilized including velcro, screws or other fastening mechanisms.

One or more light emitting diodes 66 are provided in the front face 68of the housing 62. The light emitting diodes 66 may be powered through acircuit board (not shown) that receives power from the electrical walloutlet. Alternatively, the light emitting diodes 66 maybe powered by abattery (not shown) held in the housing 62 or provided in the nozzle orcanister assemblies 14, 16 of the vacuum cleaner 10. In eitherarrangement, the light emitting diodes 66 direct light over the cleaningend 48 of the wand 44 and any cleaning tools that might be connectedthereto in order to illuminate the working area and allow the operatorto see better when cleaning. Advantageously, a light source 60positioned on the wand 44 in the manner described ensures that the lightis directed at a point where it most benefits the operator.

FIG. 2 illustrates a canister vacuum cleaner equipped with the handcleaning tool 12 of the present invention. More particularly, thecanister vacuum cleaner 100 includes a hose 111 and a canister housing112. The canister housing 112 includes an internal chamber 114 as wellas a suction inlet 116 and an exhaust outlet 118 both communicating withthat chamber. A suction generator, in the form of a fan and motorassembly generally designated by reference numeral 120 is held in thechamber 114. Additionally, a dust collector in the form of a dust bag122 is held in the internal chamber 14 between the suction inlet 16 andthe suction generator 20.

The vacuum cleaner 110 also includes a nozzle 124 for picking up dirtand debris. The nozzle 124 includes an inlet 126 and an outlet 128. Thenozzle houses a motor driven agitator 130 and a drive motor 132 fordriving the agitator. A telescoping wand assembly generally designatedby reference numeral 134 operatively connects the nozzle 124 to the hose111 that is connected to the suction inlet 116 of the canister housing112.

As further illustrated, a light source 142 is provided on thetelescoping wand assembly 134 including first and second sections 136,138. The light source is held in position by a band 144. The lightsource 142 is identical to the light source 60 in the embodiment shownin FIG. 1 and includes one or more light emitting diodes 146 fordirecting light over the cleaning end 148 of the wand 134. This isparticularly beneficial when the wand 134 is disconnected at thecoupling 150 from the powerhead and manipulated for purposes of abovefloor cleaning. More particularly, the added light source 142 allows theoperator to do a better job when cleaning.

A detailed illustration of the light source 60, 142 is presented in FIG.3. The light source 60, 142 includes a housing 200 holding three LEDs,incandescent bulbs, flourescent bulbs, halogen bulbs or zenon bulbs 202.Light from the LEDs/bulbs 202 is directed by lenses and/or prisms 204along the wand 44, 138 onto a work area to be cleaned.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. For example, the vacuum cleaner couldinclude a single agitator or more than two agitators. The vacuum cleanercould include a dust bag rather than a dirt cup. Further, while thelight source 60, 142 of the illustrated embodiment is described as beinglight emitting diodes 66, 146, other light sources could be used. Forexample, the light source could comprise light emitting diodes,incandescent bulbs, flourescent bulbs, zenon bulbs and/or halogen bulbs.Substantially any known source of light could be utilized.

The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustrationof the principles of the invention and its practical application tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the inventionin various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variationsare within the scope of the invention as determined by the appendedclaims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferredembodiment do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning ofthe claims and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.

1. A canister vacuum cleaner, comprising: a main housing; a dirtcollector carried by said main housing; a suction generator carried bysaid main housing; a wand having a first end and a second end; a hoseproviding fluid communication between said first end of said wand andsaid suction generator; a control handle connected to said wand and saidhose, said control handle including an actuator switch to controloperation of said canister vacuum cleaner; and a light source carried onsaid wand and oriented thereto for directing light past said second endof said wand onto a surface being cleaned.
 2. A canister vacuum cleaner,comprising: a main housing; a dirt cup carried on said main housing; asuction generator carried by said main housing; a wand having a firstend and a second end; a hose providing fluid communication between saidfirst end of said wand and said suction generator; and a light sourcecarried on said wand and oriented thereto for directing light past saidsecond end of said wand onto a surface being cleaned.
 3. The vacuumcleaner of claim 2, wherein said dirt cup includes a dirt collectionchamber having a cylindrical sidewall and a tangentially directed inletto provide cyclonic airflow.
 4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, whereinsaid dirt collector is a replaceable dust bag.
 5. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 1 wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
 6. Thevacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said light source is an incandescentbulb.
 7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said light source is aflorescent bulb.
 8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein said lightsource is a halogen bulb.
 9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein saidlight source is a zenon bulb.
 10. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1 furtherincluding a lens directing light from laid light source onto a work areabeing cleaned.
 11. A canister vacuum cleaner, comprising: a mainhousing; a dirt collector carried by said main housing; a suctiongenerator carried by said main housing; a wand having a first end and asecond end; a hose providing fluid communication between said first endof said wand and said suction generator; and a light source and a prismcarried on said wand and oriented thereto for directing light throughsaid prism and past said second end of said wand onto a surface beingcleaned.
 12. A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a nozzle assemblywith a suction opening; a canister assembly pivotally connected to saidnozzle assembly; a suction generator carried by one of said canisterassembly and said nozzle assembly; a dirt collector carried by one ofsaid canister assembly and said nozzle assembly; a wand and hoseassembly carried by one of said canister assembly and said nozzleassembly and in selective fluid communication with said suctiongenerator; and a light source carried on said wand and oriented theretofor directing light past said wand onto a surface being cleaned.
 13. Thefloor cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein said dirt collector is adirt cup.
 14. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein saiddirt cup includes a dirt collection chamber having a cylindrical shapeand a tangentially directed inlet to provide cyclonic airflow.
 15. Thefloor cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein said dirt collector is areplaceable dust bag.
 16. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 12wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
 17. The floorcleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein said light source is anincandescent bulb.
 18. The floor cleaning apparatus of claim 12 whereinsaid light source is a florescent bulb.
 19. The floor cleaning apparatusof claim 12 wherein said light source is a halogen bulb.
 20. The floorcleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein said light source is a zenonbulb.
 21. The vacuum cleaner of claim 12 further including a lensdirecting light from said light source onto a work area being cleaned.22. A floor cleaning apparatus, comprising: a nozzle assembly with asuction opening; a canister assembly pivotally connected to said nozzleassembly; a suction generator carried by one of said canister assemblyand said nozzle assembly; a dirt collector carried by one of saidcanister assembly and said nozzle assembly; a wand and hose assemblycarried by one of said canister assembly and said nozzle assembly and inselective fluid communication with said suction generator; and a lightsource and a prism carried on said wand and oriented thereto fordirecting light through said prism and past said wand onto a surfacebeing cleaned.
 23. A hand cleaning tool for a floor cleaning apparatus,comprising: a wand having a first end and a second end; a hose connectedto said wand; a control handle connected to said wand and said hose,said control handle including an actuator switch to control operation ofthe floor cleaning apparatus; and a light source carried on said wandand oriented thereto for directing light past said second end of saidwand onto a surface being cleaned.
 24. The tool of claim 23 wherein saidlight source is a light emitting diode.
 25. The tool of claim 23 whereinsaid light source is an incandescent bulb.
 26. The tool of claim 23wherein said light source is a florescent bulb.
 27. The tool of claim 23wherein said light source is a halogen bulb.
 28. The tool of claim 23wherein said light source is a zenon bulb.
 29. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 23 further including a lens directing light from said light sourceonto a work area being cleaned.
 30. A hand cleaning tool for a floorcleaning apparatus, comprising: a wand having a first end and a secondend; and a light source and a prism carried on said wand and orientedthereto for directing light through said prism and past said second endof said wand onto a surface being cleaned.